Flutey sets sights on ‘fantastic’ O’Driscoll

RIKI FLUTEY has faced three of the best centres in world rugby over the past two months for England but has his sights set on gunning down another in Brian O’Driscoll.

Wasps centre Flutey has enjoyed midfield battles with Australian Stirling Mortlock, New Zealander Ma Nonu and South African Jean de Villiers on the Test scene.

But he insists he is relishing the task of stopping 2005 British Lions captain O’Driscoll in tomorrow’s Heineken Cup crunch Pool Two clash at Twickenham.

Flutey, 28, said: “It’s always a buzz playing against someone like Brian O’Driscoll. I remember talking to (fellow New Zealander) Aaron Mauger when he first played against O’Driscoll back in 2001 and he said he was the best player he’s ever played against.

“He’s a fantastic player and I’ve got a huge amount of respect for him. But I really enjoy coming up against big names and good players to showcase my talents.”

Flutey returns to England’s HQ less than two months after an impressive start to his Test career despite a dismal Autumn series for under-fire coach Martin Johnson.

Now the four-cap star admits he has set his sights on playing alongside O’Driscoll on the Lions summer tour to South Africa.

Flutey said: “The Lions was one of my goals when I decided to play for England. It was a great moment for me to come on for Wellington against the Lions in 2005. I should have also been in the 22 for the New Zealand Maori’s against the Lions. I was in the team to play Fiji the week but then Carlos Spencer got dropped from the All Blacks team so I missed out and let the big dogs come in.

“The history of the Lions is so special and it was a great experience. I’ve got aspirations to play for them and I know the Six Nations is an opportunity to show what I can do.”

Flutey shone despite defeats to Australia, New Zealand and world champions South Africa.

But the former London Irish centre insists there is still more to come.

Flutey said: “It was a huge step-up. I wanted to challenge myself on the highest level and we won’t face a harder schedule than what we faced in the Autumn series. I’ve reviewed my own performance and the coaches seemed to be happy with how things went. I know I need to improve in the Six Nations and help the team produce good performances.”

Wasps trail Leinster by three points but Ian McGeechan’s men are intent on grabbing an all-important win over the Irish province in front of a 30,000 crowd.

Flutey said: “This is a huge and must-win for us if we want to compete at the highest level and win trophies. I want to win in every game and this is no different.

“We were really disappointed with the performance in Dublin but we’ve changed our approach to games. There is good competition in the squad and we’re finding a consistency.”